A human head has been found by builders in a leafy village - with a body reportedly found in a bush nearby.
West Mercia Police said they responded to a call from a member of the public who made the grisly discovery off Egg Hill Lane in Frankley, Worcestershire, on Thursday morning.
The force said it was treating the death as unexplained.
Egg Hill Lane has been temporarily closed while police carry out initial inquiries.
Detective Inspector Mark Walters said: "We are in the very early stages of an investigation and our inquiries are just getting under way.
"We are currently treating this as an unexplained death and no identification has yet been made.
"While this could be a lengthy process, we will update the public in due course."
Local resident Frank Edgar said: "My wife and I were on our way back from Halesowen and the road was closed."
"I'm told some builders working further up Egghill Lane found a body up there.
"They actually put up their own makeshift barriers to stop others going up there and rang the police."
The village of Frankley has a population of just 122 and is close to the border of Birmingham.
